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Tuesday, February 1

Legislation & Social Policy

Sandy Mills, EdD, LCSW, ACSW

As I write this column, NASW IL Chapter is preparing for a new legislative session with the 95th Illinois General Assembly. I will be working on the approved NASW IL Chapter legislative agenda, which was published in last months Networker. A new associate, my son, Aaron Mills, joined my consulting firm and will help me in representing and working on NASW issues this session. Aaron has a BS in psychology from Bradley University and a year of study in neuro-psychology at the Chicago Medical School/Fitch School of Behavioral Health Science. He also has several years of experience working with the homeless and mentally ill populations in Chicago. During the past 4 years, Aaron worked as a humanrights investigator for the state of Illinois.

Phil Milsk, a former legal aid attorney, also continues to work with me. Rene Hunt, an MSW intern from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign, joined our trio in January. Rene received her BSW from the University of Illinois in Springfield and is currently specializing in policy. She did her undergraduate field work in the state Capital with our social work senator, Christine Radogno. Rene is also a nurse with exceptional knowledge of the health care field. This will be a very busy session and I am relieved to have the help of these extremely capable people.

We can expect to see many bills introduced in the first year of the bi-annual session; however, anything with a fiscal note will have limited appeal and virtually no success, as the state remains severely strapped for cash. We will continue to advocate for new sources of revenue to fund education, health and human services. NASW IL Chapter will also continue to work with the many groups advocating a tax increase. This will, again, be the theme for our February 17th Lobby Day in Springfield. Several new legislators will be part of the 95th General Assembly, which convenes on January 12th with their inauguration. We hope that you will become acquainted with your state senator and representative, whether they are new or returning legislators.